Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Track, A.A.S. (A45340)

The Emergency Medical Science Associate Degree curriculum provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide advanced emergency medical care as a paramedic for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system and prepares graduates to enter the workforce. Students will gain complex knowledge, competency, and experience while employing evidence-based practice under medical oversight, and serve as a link from the scene into the healthcare system. Graduates of this program may be eligible to take state and/or national certification examinations. Employment opportunities include providers of emergency medical services, fire departments, rescue agencies, hospital specialty areas, industry, educational and government agencies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

Examine and analyze the nature and seriousness of the patient's condition or extent of injuries to assess the need for emergency medical care, perform appropriate medical care based on assessment findings of the patient's condition, lift, move, position and otherwise handle the patient to minimize discomfort and prevent further injury.

Demonstrate the roles and responsibilities of a paramedic within an EMS system, perform the basic concepts of development, pathophysiology and pharmacology to assessment and management of emergency patients, be able to properly administer medications, and apply effective communication with patients, peers, and healthcare professionals.

Perform airway management including oxygenation and ventilation of a patient.

Demonstrate a proper history and perform a comprehensive physical examination on any patient, and communicate findings to others.

Demonstrate integration of pathophysiological principles and analyze assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the medical patient.

Demonstrate integration of pathophysiological principles and analyze assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for the trauma patient.

Demonstrate integration of pathophysiological principles and analyze assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for neonatal, pediatric and geriatric patients, diverse patients, and chronically ill patients.

Demonstrate integration of pathophysiological principles and analyze assessment findings to formulate a field impression and implement the treatment plan for patients with common complaints.

Perform safety management principles at the scene of an emergency.

Apply general knowledge and understanding of managing an emergency medical services system.

Admission Information

Students applying for admission to the Gaston College Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program MUST meet the Gaston College admission requirements. Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to the Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program.

Additional Admission Requirements

Complete an application for the Associate Degree Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Program. This form is available in Department for EMS Education, APS 104.

Provide a copy of valid state driver's license.

Meet with an academic advisor or program director from the Department for EMS Education.

Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic Track Admission Information

Meet the equivalent receiving > 7 score for each level or take DMA 010, DMA 020 and DMA 030

Maintain an overall GPA minimum of 2.0 in college level coursework in related classes and core courses in the EMS program of study.

Students Admitted to the Emergency Medical Science Program

In addition to maintaining a 2.0 GPA and earning a minimum grade of "C" in all EMS and other related curriculum courses, applicants accepted in the Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic program must meet the following requirements in order to enroll and continue in the EMS program.

Attend a program information session. Dates and times will be sent to applicants.

Clinical agencies reserve the right to deny a student access to the facility based on failure to meet the above requirements. If a student is denied access to any clinical agency, the student will not be allowed to continue in the Emergency Medical Science - Paramedic program. Detailed information regarding these agency requirements will be provided the compliance information during an information session.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from all clinical, laboratory, and class activities. Clinical and EMS field internship experiences may be scheduled morning, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.

Students who seek credit for EMT-Basic Certification, taken through continuing education, may request to seek course credit by examination or experiential credit. Experiential credit is obtained by successfully completing the NREMT computer adaptive testing and receiving subsequent national registration as an EMT.